Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok Vol. 2: Love and War 2003   ADV Films   Buy It Now

You probably think that being a god is easy, but when you've been cast out by others in your given mythology, have been exiled to Earth and are the size of an elementary school student, it isn't exactly all flowers and sunshine. It gets even worse when you're trying the best you can to run a detective business and have some nosey girl tagging along, but that's all in a days work for Loki. "Love and War" is the second volume of Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok, and things aren't going to get any easier for the pint-size god.

More supreme beings from the Norse mythos are running loose in Japan, probably the last place that you'd expect to find them, but they aren't trying to bring about the end of the world or anything of that nature, and in fact it seems that most of them are having a great time. The one who isn't however is Loki, especially since Odin has decided that the god of mischief would be better off dead.

The first volume introduced a few of the gods from the mythologies that have also come to Earth. Thor is posing as a high school student, who is having trouble keeping down a part time job, and he still shows up on occasion, but he's not so much of a problem. Heimdall on the other hand is more than a handful, and he will do anything to kill Loki. He's found a little help with Frey who is having a great time taking on the role of a thief. Frey however is a bit of a bumbling buffoon and also concerned with finding his sister Freya. This leads the series into a rather interesting three-part tale.

After Frey has stolen a valuable necklace, Reiya approaches Loki; an orphan whom Loki already knows is Freya. She can't remember much of anything, but Heimdall is content to use her to kill the dark god. Freya once loved Loki and even tried to convince Odin not to send him to Earth, but she's received the same punishment and is now a trapped in a childs body with no memory of who she is. Loki is able to stop Heimdall's plot, thanks to more accidental interference by Frey, but this certainly isn't the end of things.

The fourth episode on the DVD is a stand-alone episode, but it gives a bit of information on just who Yamino is. We've seen him as being something of a butler for Loki, but he's much more. In reality, he is the human incarnation of Midgardsormr, the serpent who according to Norse mythology encircles the Earth. This is probably the only serpent you'll ever find who is content with cooking and cleaning, but you also probably never thought you'd see pigs fly either, but this volume will change all of that. Of course you have Mayura getting into all sorts of trouble and thinking that everything is some type of mystery. But, the slow-witted "detective" can, on occasion, puts some clues together.

What's interesting with the series though is the use of the Norse mythology. It isn't exactly like the Norse would have intended it, but it certainly is a nice twist and makes for a good tale. Loki as a child and detective is quite an entertaining idea, and throwing other gods in helps make things even more colorful. Without them, this would simply be another detective tale, but it's much more than that. It's a mystery tale with elements of love and betrayal all rolled into one, and even more important, it's incredible to watch. It isn't just the ideas that are captivating, and the animation helps the series out even more.

I'm still a bit surprised that given Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok's Norse background, ADV hasn't included anything in regards to the original stories much like they did with Saiyuki. Instead, they have included the basic clean opening and closing animation as well as a look at a character art gallery. There is also a small collection of Japanese TV warnings and sticking with the original version, there also are interviews with Yuriko Fuchizaki, the voice of Loki, and Takehito Koyasu who you'll recognize as Frey, and more than likely you may also know from a few other anime.

If you took Detective Conan and mixed in a bit of DNAngel, Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok would be the logical result. The cases may not be as intricate, but Loki is a pleasure to watch and is the perfect blend of fantasy and mystery. This might not be quite the way you remember the Norse gods, the twist is the hook, and there's no big mystery here; this is a series that you can't miss.

Episode 5 - Challenge of the Mysterious Thief Frey!

Frey has been stealing valuables across the city and he's not trying to hide his crimes either. In fact, he's simply trying to call Loki out, but Mayura seems to be the only one concerned with the thefts, at least until all the clues begin to make sense and the child detective must clash with a rather pompous foe.

Episode 6 - The Targeted Girl

Reiya, an orphan who claims to have been witnessing strange activity in the hotel she's staying in, has contacted Loki, and he's soon on the case (along with Mayura.) No one believes Reiya, but Loki has witnessed the activity himself and it seems that the supernatural activity is much more than he had expected it to be . . . . and under the control of someone else.

Episode 7 - The Goddess Freya Awakens!

The goddess Freya has been reawakened and Loki and the others are trying to find her. Freya is pleased to see the man that she once loved, but Heimdall is about to ruin things, or so it seems. He's merely trying to buy some time so that Freya can accomplish her goal of killing Loki.

Episode 8 - Onward, Yamino Detective Agency?!

Loki has literally bumped into a pair of muggers who have now kidnapped him. Fortunately he's able to get a message to Yamino and Mayura with clues as to where he is. Will the two of them be able to decipher the message, or will Loki have to get himself out of trouble?

-mike-